The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-08
THE STRIKESAND LOCKOUTS.
Indications that the New York Freight
Handlers Have Suffered a Defeat.
More Men Apply for Work than Can Be Ac-
ommodated-A Boston Street Railroad Tied
Up-The Inquiry as to the Coal Strike.

n
Up-The Inquiry as to the Coal Strike.
New YORK, Feb. THE river fronts and
neighboring streets presented Sunday aprsar-
nnce this morning, and there was NO changa IN
the condition of affairs. Monday is usually the
busiest day Of the week at the docks, but there
was no blockade of the Bedtime streetcars to-day
Not more than onefourth the usual number OF
trucks which block and choke South and West
streets were out. Most of the piers were open to
We freight, but little came as compared with
Che ante strike times. The prospects of settle
ment Of the difficulties between 1ongshoremen
and steamship companies and freiRht-handlers
and railway companies is remote, each side being
confident of coming out of the trouble victor
Both sides promise remarkable developments
this week, but are dark about their nature.
From the Clyde line dock. East river, the
steamer Clyde sailed some hours later than her
schedule time, but carried a full cargo and her
quota of passengers. The Seminole, of this line,
also carried full cargo and her quota of passen
gera The superintendent declared he was
getting along very well. Men who apply for
work at the MaIlory-line dock are being turned
away by the hundred. Another steamer is ex
pected to-day. and there are plenty of men ready
TO work on her. The Ward-line dock is clear OF
freight and deserted. Two boats arc expected
to-day or tomorrow, and then the company will
have plenty of help to discharge their careoes
At the Continental-line dock plenty of freight
was delivered, and the whole bulkhead was lined
with trucks. The New Haven freight line and
the Hartford line were doing more business than
on Saturday, also.
To-day free fight took place on the pier OF
the Morgan line of steamers, between number
of Italians and striking longshoremen. After
the police separated the combatants, John
ONeil, 1ongshoreman, was found lying on the
pier weltering in his blood, and near him lay an
open razor O'Neil had deep slash down his
back. He was removed to the hospital in an I'M
conscious condition
The boss stevedores to-day held q meeting and
Cook measures to fill the places of strikers to-
morrow.
Brooklyn coal-dealers and their clerks have
been delivering coal to day, guarded by police.
Doctors at the Long Island College Hospital to-
day carted in person, twelve tons of coal to that
instit0tion. The strikers overturned one cart in
BroSk lyn to-day, but were chased away by po-
lice. The strikers themselves have coal, and
because of their ideness they are earning no
money to buy coal.
The strikers whom Police Inspector Steers
met when he made his tour Of the North river
front to-day acknowledged to him that they
were beaten. Freight was offered in less guam
handlers were nearly equal to it. There were
more men applying for work at the piers than
could be accommodated with places.
Investigating the Coal Handlers' Strike.
New York, Feb. THE Assembly committee
toinquire into the cause Of the coal handlers
strike met again to-day. Frederick A. Potts.
president Of the New York. Susquehanna g.
Western railroad. gave outline of the coal
mining and coalhandling industry, with the
prices at the mines. the prices at the Jersey
City docks, the lighteraee, trimming, etc.. and
the wholesale and retail prices in New York
city. 1t was difficult to estimate the cost of
transportation. He then outlined the plan of
the coal-pool; said that the companies forming it
did not abide by its terms, and that, in July
last, coal was at the lowest point in the history
OF the trade. He believed in arbitration il the
: decision Of the arbtrators could be enforced.
Austin Corbin, president ard receiver of the
Reading road, testified that his company has
seventy nine collieries, and produces from six
million to seven million tons of coal annually.
The colleries are over one hundred miles from
tidewater Large expense is involved in re-
turning empty coal cars to the mines
from tidewater This is not included
The Philadelphia Coal and Iron Company, whose
stock is owned by the Reading road, mines and
sells its own coal, paying for its transportation
ike any Otner company. LaSt year That COM
pany lost 81 ,2s6, COO The only profit in the col
lieries was to the railroad companies for trans
portation. It exactly balances the loss to the
coal and iron companies. The workingmen made
several million dollars more out of the coal bus
mess last year than the coal company did. Mr..
Corbin stated that two weeks ago he was sum-
moned to Harrisburg by the government of
Pennsylvania He was informed then that his
company had violated the laws of that State in
combining to raise the price of coal, and must
desist. At the same time the receivers of the
railroad company were threatened with custer if
they did not make better showing They
stood between two fires. They cannot increase
their revenue by raising prices; cannot make
any profit at present prices; are threatened with
vacation of the receivership if they don't make
more money, and threatened by their employees
If they don't pay more wages. dis company
increased their miners wages about per cent
In March last Mr. Corbins remedy for the
troubles between capital and labor was arbitra
ton, but he could not advance any plan. His
company had had trouble with their men some
months ago, which was settled satisfactorily by
arbitration The company had endeavored &C
= live up to the decision Of the arbitrators, anG
the workingmen we're satisfied. But it was saii
now that they would 60 out again, not becaus,
they were dissatisfied, but because some on,
else who works for another company is dissats
fed. There seemed to be no plan by which al
arbitration law can bind the workingmen TIL
Reading road had lost over $40, 600 ia tn
coal business. Prices were now below profit
able point
Edwin R. Holden. second vice-president of til
Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad an
Coal Company said it was fact that his com
pany had paid the trimmers more this year tina
ever before, yet had received less for their Goa
than in former years.
A Boston Street Railway Tied Up.
Boston, Feb. THE employees of the Sout
Boston horse railroad, ut a meeting whic
lasted until o'clock this morning, voted unan
mously to tie up the road to-day and in pul
suance Of this vote no cars were taken out th
morning. This is one of the largest horse raj
roads in the city. The men opposed to tn
present superintendent, and want ten hour
work instead Of twelve hour day. The diff
Guilty seems to be chiefly in making out tim
tables. The company claims thatit is impossb
TO arrange them so as TO give ten hours inside